Private Label & OEM Denim Manufacturing: From Concept to Bulk Production
When brands look for a denim factory, they often get confused by terms like OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer), ODM (Original Design Manufacturer), or Private Label. At Xinen Garment, our understanding of these terms is simple: You provide the vision or the design, and we use our factory’s technical expertise to turn it into a market-ready product.
Whether you want to put your logo on an existing, proven fit or develop a completely unique pair of jeans from scratch, the core logic of production remains the same. This guide explains how we manage custom denim production and what you should realistically expect when working with a professional manufacturer.
What do Private Label and OEM actually mean for your brand?
In the daily reality of a garment factory, these concepts often overlap. However, choosing the right path depends on your brand’s maturity and your specific goals.
Private Label is usually the best route for brands that have a clear market position but want to move quickly. You can select from our factory’s library of developed fits, fabrics, and wash styles, then customize them with your own main labels, care labels, leather patches, and buttons. The advantage here is low risk and speed; the patterns and fabric shrinkage are already proven and tested.
OEM (Custom Development) goes deeper. You provide your own sketches, tech packs, or reference samples. We then create custom patterns, source specific fabrics, and develop unique wash recipes exclusively for your brand. This is ideal for brands that need a specific “signature” fit or a unique aesthetic that isn’t available in standard markets.
At Xinen Garment, we don’t draw a hard line between these definitions. Our goal is to suggest the most reasonable production path based on your design and your budget.
How does our custom jeans production process work?
Denim production is unique because it isn’t just about cutting and sewing; it is heavily defined by the “laundry” or washing process. Here is the step-by-step reality of how a bulk order moves through our facility:
- Requirement Alignment: We start by confirming the essentials: fabric weight (e.g., 12oz or 14oz), composition (100% cotton or stretch), fit (slim, straight, baggy), and total quantity.
- Technical Review: We review your Tech Pack or physical sample. If we see a design risk—such as a pocket placement that might tear during a heavy stone wash—we tell you upfront.
- Sampling (The Proto Stage): We create a first sample. This is where you see the physical drape of the fabric and the initial fit.
- Wash Development: Once the “dry” garment is sewn, it enters our laundry. We adjust the color depth, whisker effects, and hand-sanding details according to your target.
- Pre-Production Sample (PPS): Before bulk cutting, we provide a final sample. Once you sign off on this, it becomes the “Gold Standard” for bulk inspection.
- Bulk Cutting & Sewing: The fabric is laid out, cut by automated or manual machines, and moved through our sewing lines.
- Finishing & Packing: This includes thread trimming, buttoning, riveting, pressing, and final packaging according to your FBA or retail requirements.
Why do we insist on technical clarity before we start sewing?
A common mistake is assuming that a photo is enough to start production. In a professional denim factory, “Photos are not specifications.”
A photo cannot tell us the tensile strength of the fabric or the exact shrinkage rate after a 60-minute enzyme wash. If we start production based on a “look,” we end up with endless revisions that waste both time and money. We require detailed measurement charts or physical reference samples because they provide the only objective data our pattern makers can follow.
For Private Label clients who do not have a Tech Pack, we provide our standardized factory specifications. Using these “proven specs” significantly reduces the risk of size deviation during bulk production.
How are MOQs determined, and why do they matter?
Minimum Order Quantities (MOQs) are not arbitrary numbers used to turn away small brands; they are dictated by the physical limits of the supply chain.
- Fabric Limitations: Denim fabric is produced in rolls of thousands of meters. If an order is too small, we cannot buy custom-dyed fabric from the mills, and we must rely on “stock fabrics.”
- Laundry Machine Capacity: Industrial washing machines typically hold 80 to 100 pairs of jeans per cycle. If you only have 20 pairs for a specific color, the friction and chemical concentration in the machine become unstable, leading to inconsistent colors.
Generally, our MOQ is around 200-300 pieces per color/style. For startups, we often suggest using “Factory Stock Fabrics” to lower the entry barrier. Practically speaking, larger volumes always lower the cost-per-piece because development and hardware setup costs are spread across more units.
What branding and wash details can you actually customize?
Customization is about more than just a label. As an OEM factory, we offer deep customization options:
- Washing Tech: We can execute simple Rinse washes, Stone washes, and Enzyme washes, or complex Vintage looks with Hand Sanding, Monkey Wash, and Ozone finishing.
- Hardware & Trims: Buttons, rivets, and tacks can be laser-engraved with your logo. Leather patches can be genuine leather, faux leather, or eco-friendly paper (Jacron).
- Stitching & Embroidery: You can choose thread colors, stitch densities, and custom embroidery on back pockets or hemlines.
However, keep in mind that complex washes increase the risk of fabric degradation and lead to longer production times. We recommend a balance between aesthetics and fabric durability.
How do we manage quality control during bulk production?
In the garment industry, 100% perfection is impossible, but 100% accountability is mandatory. Denim QC is particularly difficult because the washing process physically changes the garment’s dimensions.
Our QC process happens in three stages:
- Pre-Sewing Inspection: We check the fabric for weaving defects or color shading before it is cut.
- In-Line Inspection: During sewing, we check for seam strength, stitch consistency, and correct placement of reinforcements.
- Final Inspection (The Laundry Exit): After washing, every pair is measured. we check the waist, inseam, and rise against the PPS (Pre-Production Sample) tolerances. We also check the wash effect for consistency.
We do not promise “zero defects,” but we do promise that every defect found is pulled out and discussed with the client before the shipment leaves the factory.
What should you prepare before contacting a denim factory?
To make our first communication efficient, we recommend having the following ready:
- Your Brand Positioning: Are you selling premium luxury denim or high-turnover fashion?
- Reference Samples or Tech Packs: This is the fastest way for us to understand your fit and style.
- Fabric Preferences: Do you need heavy-weight, light-weight, rigid, or stretch?
- Target Quantities: This determines our pricing and fabric sourcing options.
- Target Delivery Date: When do you need the stock in your warehouse?
If you aren’t fully prepared, that is fine. Tell us your target retail price, and we can recommend fabric and wash combinations from our successful past productions.
FAQ: Common Questions About OEM & Private Label Production
Q: Can I use your existing factory patterns?
A: Yes. This is a very popular option for Amazon sellers and startups. Using our proven fits saves you the cost of pattern development and reduces the risk of fit complaints.
Q: Do you support DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) shipping?
A: Yes, especially for our FBA clients. We can handle the logistics from our factory in China directly to your warehouse in the US, UK, or EU, including customs clearance and duties.
Q: Can you produce sustainable or “Eco-Friendly” denim?
A: We can source GOTS or OCS certified organic cotton and use water-saving technologies like Ozone washing. However, these options often come with higher MOQs and costs.
Q: What happens if I am not happy with the first sample?
A: The purpose of a sample is to find and fix issues. We take your feedback and make the necessary adjustments. Usually, with a clear Tech Pack, we achieve the desired result within 1 or 2 rounds.
Conclusion: Finding a Technical Partner, Not Just a Vendor
At Xinen Garment, we believe that a successful OEM or Private Label partnership is built on transparent communication and a respect for the physical laws of production. We don’t just “take orders”; we provide technical feedback to ensure your brand’s growth is sustainable.
If you are looking for a denim factory that speaks honestly about production challenges and provides consistent quality, we are ready to talk. We don’t use complex jargon to sound impressive—we focus on making sure every pair of jeans that leaves our factory meets your standards.
